MEMPHIS, Tenn. - -
Memphis (3-3-1) scored two goals in the first half and three in the second to cruise past Drake, 5-0, Saturday.

Drake received a great chance to score as the Tigers were whistled for a foul just outside the top of the box. The free kick by Michael Thaden was saved by Conor Hurley, but the Bulldogs gathered the rebound. Off the rebound, Nick Marshall put a shot on frame, but his shot ricocheted off the crossbar.

Memphis countered quickly as Mark Sherrod served the ball over the top of the defense allowing Wil Linder to catch up to it. Linder had one-versus-one against the Drake keeper and slotted the ball to the left post for his first goal on the year.

A foul on Drake allowed Memphis to increase its lead as Lewis Ellis converted a free kick from 20 yards away for his second goal. Ellis bent the kick from the left side inside the left post to give Memphis the 2-0 lead early in the first half.

Out of the halftime break, Memphis remained on the attack and Mark Sherrod scored his fourth goal of the season to increase the Tigers lead to 3-0. Jordan Johnson served a cross from the right side of the field to Shane Keely and Sherrod headed the goal, giving both Keely and Johnson their first assists of the season.

The Tigers added to the lead quickly as Ellis punched in a laser from 38 yards away. Off a failed Drake corner kick, Hurley served the goal kick past the midfield and Sherrod headed the ball downfield to Ellis. Ellis then fired the shot toward net and slotted it over the keepers hand for his second score of the night. Hurley and
Sherrod picked up assists on the play.

Dennis Kennetz found his way in the goal column with a strike off a Tigers' corner kick in the 81st minute. Liam Collins served the kick and Drake initially headed it out, but Kennetz gathered it and put it in the back of the net for a 5-0 Memphis lead.

Hurley finished with two saves in 67 minutes of play. Cody Uzcategui played the final 23 minutes and came up with one save. The Tigers outshot the Bulldogs 17-6 and had a 6-2 shots on goal edge. Three different Tigers scored a goal, marking the second time this that has occurred (vs. Wisconsin).

The Tigers open Conference USA play Wednesday as Marshall visits the Bluff City for a 7 p.m. match up.